Chapter 1174 - During My Time Off
—The passing days know no stopping, February twentieth.
Although I am at the point where my main residence is practically the virtual world, thankfully, because there are many who try to take me outside, I am far removed from being a shut-in.
Setting aside Nia-taro, who self-identifies as a shut-in (pro) close to that edge, there are Sora and Ashe. Then, there is Kazu-san, who, on a rare whim, invites me to high-class restaurants, asking, "Shall we go eat something good?" And of course, others like my lively, irreplaceable friends.
It is truly a massive difference from my high school days, when I had almost no close connections other than the people at my part-time job. Thinking about it again, I have arrived at a present so blessed that even I find it a bit off-putting, but...
Well, let's just say I'm also shouldering the hardships and whatnot that match it.
Thus, while continuing to enjoy that blessed environment today of all days—
"And that's why, this time, [I (Hoshikake)] have been designated as part of the staying-at-home group."
""Heeh.""
All members present, no absences during the long spring break. In accordance with the pre-arranged plans, along with my university friends who gathered after noon, I was being shaken clackety-clack by a train in the real world.
The crowd was decent. Not packed to the gills, but the seats were completely filled. Precisely because of that, a bit of whispering wouldn't stand out.
Even so, while being careful with my choice of words so that there would be no problem even if someone were to eavesdrop, when I spoke of recent events to fill the idle travel time, I received half-hearted reactions from both sides.
Shoko aside, your "heeh" isn't cute in the slightest, Toshiki-kun.
"I'd heard about it, but was it really that bad...?"
"I'm surprised. But if it's no good, it can't be helped."
Next, two voices from directly ahead.
The voices of the two girls whom Shoko, Toshiki, and I had meddlesomely pushed into the seats that had opened up at just the right time. Kaede, whose usually rich emotional expression was currently leaning toward worry, and today's guest of honor-sama.
Having successfully reached her nineteenth birthday, it was our group's mediator, Miki-san.
—In other words, that was how it was.
Today's gathering was none other than a "let's go out" party planned to celebrate Miki's birthday (ignoring her own statement of "you don't really need to fuss over me").
"Well, but honestly, I kind of think it has nothing to do with trauma...?"
Even so, travel time was travel time. Since there were no fools among our group who would make a racket in public just because it was a special day, everyone was still on Normal Operation.
Toshiki, who was lazily supporting his body with a strap, also continued his idle chatter without reservation.
"Ah, well, true. I'm sure something like that would normally be impossible for me too."
"For me, it would definitely be impossible too..."
"Same here."
And so, the other three were the same. It was probably more of a simple impression than an attempt to defend me; agreement followed Toshiki's words, which presumably came from imagining "if I were to experience that myself."
They were all saying that they would absolutely refuse to throw themselves into the [Deep Realm of Blue Source]... which is to say, an unimaginably pitch-black sea infested with monsters.
That's right, I felt the same way. I get it, I totally get it.
"And on top of that, Nozomin is doubling down with trauma, right? Well, of course it's no good."
"Rather, why did you dive in solo? Are you an idiot?"
"I'm always thinking this, but please don't push yourself too hard, okay...?"
"You should consider the feelings of those who worry about you."
While I was casually rejoicing in their agreement, a four-hit combo of looks treating me like an idiot came flying my way.
It hurts.
"Ehh... No, but you see. I felt bad saying 'No' right away when relied upon."
"Softie."
And, that was Miki.
"Like I said, honestly, even I didn't think it would be that bad."
"As usual, your self-awareness is lacking in weird areas."
That was Shoko.
"And I also thought that, in the worst-case scenario, I could get through it with sheer willpower."
"And on top of that, you're fundamentally a bit of a muscle-brain, despite being smart."
That was Toshiki.
"Besides, a solo charge is only natural. Who would drag someone along when there's a chance of showing such a pathetic state?"
"Wow, he's saying something childish again..."
That was Kaede.
Hey, the young lady of the Shijo family-sama quietly had the highest firepower, didn't she?
It hurts—and, probably.
"Well, if you were told to stay behind, then that's fine. It's an occasional vacation, Mr. Popular."
"That said, you do get vacations every now and then. Like that hot spring trip before."
"We have them, but in the end, almost all of them were things handed over out of 'worry' and 'consideration'."
"Nozomi-kun, you're bad at taking breaks on your own, aren't you? I already knew that, though."
"Alright everyone, shall we stop about now? Don't corner me as if it's your duty."
With slightly less than ten minutes left until our destination.
The probability of this flow of killing time stopping was, in all likelihood, extremely close to zero.
◇◆◇◆◇
—And, the destination.
"This is the second time in my life for me."
"Ah, me too."
"Well, you don't really get many opportunities to come here, do you?"
Passing through the gate to the extraordinary that represents reality, I entered the crowded amusement park with my friends. I squinted my eyes at the hustle and bustle that snatched away my composure from my head.
The first time in my life. In other words, it would be the first time since my first date with Nia, also known as Lady Liliania Vrubel, but this is a different place from that theme park. In terms of scale, this one is bigger.
The time I came with Nia, it wasn't a situation where we could focus on the attractions in various senses, or rather, we were both so bad at enjoying ourselves that it ended up feeling quite peculiar, but...
"It would have been nice if So—Hinata-chan could have come too, though."
"Too bad. High schoolers are in the middle of their school term."
"Well, let's save that for the next opportunity? Hehehe."
"We don't mind if you don't invite us, you know? Hehehe."
"Now, today's guest of honor, where shall we go? The complimentary pass covered in connections is going to spit fire."
""Ugh, ignored.""
There is no doubt that everything changes completely between a one-on-one date and a charge with friends. Thus, while it is not exactly a revenge match for last time—
"Hmm... For now, I want to eat churros."
"Wow, the complimentary pass has nothing to do with that. But, leave it to me. I've done my research properly."
"Reliable. I'll leave it to you."
This time, let's try to have fun in a properly noisy way.
Apparently, there is a protagonist who goes to play at an amusement park without the heroine.
But it continues for a reason.